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Celebrating people who bring the Internet to life

Nominations

Thank you for your interest in submitting a nomination to the Internet Hall of Fame! If you know someone who should be honored for making groundbreaking contributions to the Internet, nominations open as of 1 January 2019 and will remain open through 8 March 2019. Click on the button below to make a nomination, and subscribe here to receive important Internet Hall of Fame updates, including information on the 2019 inductees and ceremony.

The Internet Hall of Fame recognizes a select group of visionaries, leaders, and luminaries who have made significant contributions to the development and advancement of the Internet. Read on to find out more about the nomination criteria and requirements.

About The Nominations Process

Individuals worldwide who have played an extraordinary role in the conceptualization, building, and development of the Internet globally are considered for induction into the Internet Hall of Fame. In addition to those who have been more visible, the Internet Hall of Fame seeks nominees who have made crucial, behind-the-scenes contributions. Criteria for evaluation include:

Impact: The contribution has made an extraordinary impact on the development or growth of the Internet, and was and may still be directly relevant to the Internet's ongoing advancement and evolution.

Influence: The contribution, relative to the Internet, has significantly influenced: 1) the work of others in the field; 2) society at large; or 3) another more defined but critical audience or region.

Innovation: The contribution has broken new ground with original thinking/creativity that has established new paradigms, eliminated significant obstacles, or accelerated Internet advancements.

Reach: The contribution has significantly impacted the Internet's reach among society at large, within key audiences or specific geographies, with global impact.

Special consideration may also be given to nominees’ lifelong Internet-related accomplishments, contributions to more than one area of the Internet, and the overall benefit of their technological contributions to society.

There is no requirement for the length of time the nominee has worked in/contributed to the Internet, and nominations can be made posthumously.

Individuals previously nominated must be re-nominated to be considered, and individuals cannot nominate or endorse themselves.

In addition to completing the nomination form, all nominations will require three (3) endorsement letters from three independent endorsers. The endorsement letters should come from people with a variety of perspectives, both inside and outside the nominee’s geographic region and place of employment, now or at the time of the contribution.

Nominations are reviewed and screened to ensure they meet the nomination criteria and eligibility. The Internet Hall of Fame Advisory Board, comprised of a select group of past inductees, is responsible for the final selection of inductees.